Within an Inch of His Life eBook

Henceforth Jacques’s innocence was as clear
as daylight; and although he had to bear the burden
of his sentence till the judgment was declared void,
it was decided, with the consent of the president of
the court, M. Domini, and the active cooperation of
M. Gransiere, that he should be set free that same
evening.

M. Folgat and M. Magloire were charged with the pleasant
duty of informing the prisoner of this happy news.
They found him walking up and down in his cell like
a madman, devoured by unspeakable anguish, and not
knowing what to make of the words of hope which M.
Daubigeon had spoken to him in the morning.

He was hopeful, it is true; and yet when he was told
that he was safe, that he was free, he sank, an inert
mass, into a chair, being less able to bear joy than
sorrow.

But such emotions are not apt to last long. A
few moments later, and Jacques de Boiscoran, arm in
arm with his counsel, left his prison, in which he
had for several months suffered all that an honest
man can suffer. He had paid a fearful penalty
for what, in the eyes of so many men, is but a trifling
wrong.

When they reached the street in which the Chandores
lived, M. Folgat said to his client,—­

“They do not expect you, I am sure. Go
slowly, while I go ahead to prepare them.”

He found Jacques’s parents and friends assembled
in the parlor, suffering great anxiety; for they had
not been able to ascertain if there were any truth
in the vague rumors which had reached them.

The young advocate employed the utmost caution in
preparing them for the truth; but at the first words
Dionysia asked,—­

“Where is Jacques?”

Jacques was kneeling at her feet, overcome with gratitude
and love.

V.

The next day the funeral of Count Claudieuse took
place. His youngest daughter was buried at the
same time; and in the evening the Countess left Sauveterre,
to make her home henceforth with her father in Paris.

In the proper course of the law, the sentence which
condemned Jacques was declared null and void; and
Cocoleu, found guilty of having committed the crime
at Valpinson, was sentenced to hard labor for life.

A month later Jacques de Boiscoran was married at
the church in Brechy to Dionysia de Chandore.
The witnesses for the bridegroom were M. Magloire
and Dr. Seignebos; the witnesses for the bride, M.
Folgat and M. Daubigeon.

Even the excellent commonwealth attorney laid aside
on that day some of his usual gravity. He continually
repeated,—­

“Nunc est bibendum,
nunc pede libero
Pulsanda tellus.”

And he really did drink his glass of wine, and opened
the ball with the bride.

M. Galpin, who was sent to Algiers, was not present
at the wedding. But M. Mechinet was there, quite
brilliant, and, thanks to Jacques, free from all pecuniary
troubles.